by Zoë S. Roy
At break, she hastened to the desk and talked to the professor. “Sorry to bother you. I’m confused about the ‘Fenian Cycle.’ How is this Irish mythology related to a secret revolutionary organization in the United States in the sixteenth century?”
The professor’s gaze fell on this new face, and he answered, “You know some details about modern American history.” He clasped his hands. “You also have an excellent imagination. The legend has nothing to do with the Fenian Movement, though the word ‘Fenian’ was derived from the saga.”
“But,” Nina asked with hesitation, “why do we have to learn the legend?”
“My answer is simple,” the professor responded, taking a tissue from a box to clean his glasses. “Because this course is on Irish Culture. Understood?”
At that moment, Nina realized the blunder she had made. “I’m sorry. I’m in the wrong classroom!” Turning around, Nina fled like a defeated warrior without hearing the professor’s question: “Which course are you supposed to take?”
Nina got a part-time job working two hours an evening as a safety escort. Together with a partner, her job was to accompany individual students from their classrooms or computer labs or library to a bus stop near the campus at night. She was glad she would have some income.
One night after work, Nina wearily dragged herself to her apartment. She passed by a multi-purpose hall, and heard a familiar piano melody, which brought back a fond memory. It was “Moscow Nights,” the Soviet song composed by Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi with lyrics by Mikhail Matusovsky, which had been popular among Chinese youth before the Cultural Revolution and was subsequently banned, as all foreign songs had been. Some, behind the scenes, had sung it still. She looked into the room and saw a woman playing the piano. The sweet music drifted along while her fingers ran restlessly over the keys. Nina tiptoed in and stood beside the piano. She couldn’t help humming along in Russian:
Stillness in the grove, not a rustling sound,
Softly shines the moon clear and bright.
Dear, if you could know how I treasure so
The most beautiful Moscow night.
As the player finished, she turned and looked at Nina with surprise. “How do you know this song?”
“How do you do, comrade?” Nina answered in Russian.
“What?” the woman gaped at her, a puzzled look on her face. “A Russian commie?”
“No,” answered Nina. “Are you?”
“No. My grandpa was a White Russian. He fled the communists in the early 1920s.”
“I fled the Chinese Communists.” Nina wondered how the White Russian, loyal to the Tsar and anti-communists, had escaped from the Soviet Union when the Red Army won the civil war in the Russian Revolution of 1917. “Did you learn the song from your grandfather?”
“No,” the woman answered. “He hated the Bolsheviks. I learned the song at school. I love it since it’s so romantic.”
“I learned Russian at middle school.” Nina remembered that every student had been encouraged to learn the language. “I even had a Russian pen pal.”
“Really? How interesting,” the woman said. “Did you learn this song from your pen pal?”
“I learned it from school, too. In the 1950s, China and Russia were brotherly countries. Everybody, young or old, learned Russian songs and watched Russian movies. We started learning the Russian language in elementary school.” She sighed at the memory that the relationship between the two countries had soured by the 1960s.
“Were you a communist? Why did you flee China? Why did the two countries break up?”
“I wasn’t a communist. I fled because my parents were persecuted. Russia and China became enemies for political reasons, I think,” answered Nina as she looked at her watch. “I’ve got to go. I have an early class tomorrow.”
“Nice meeting you,” said the woman.
After the chance encounter with the piano player, the song, “Moscow Nights,” echoed in Nina’s head for several days.
A thought dawned on her. She decided to explore the relationship between China and the Soviet Union. The topic would be a good one for her group project in her International Relations course.
In the group meeting, the students shared their research results and ideas with one another. One topic was about the roles of the Americans and Soviets during the Korean War; another was about the American government imposing an arms embargo on Cuba; and yet other topics focused on the cultural similarities and close military alliance between Britain and the United States.
Nina focused on the period spanning from the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance to the Sino-Soviet split in 1956, when the relationship between China and the Soviet Union became tense. The group discussion enhanced each student’s interest in the course, and Nina benefited from this kind of learning process. Finally, one student from the group was chosen to present the group project to the class and they called their presentation, “Friends or Enemies in the Relationship between Countries.”
Nina wrote a letter to Eileen and Bruce before Thanksgiving Day:
Nov. 19, 1972
Dear Eileen and Bruce,
How are you? I’m thinking of you. I still remember last year’s Thanksgiving dinner with you. This year, I will work on my assignments and count my blessings at the same time. I’ve been busy studying and also working part-time, but I’ve been enjoying my student life so far.
I feel grateful for knowing you and for your support. Without your generous and kind help, my dream wouldn’t have come true.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nina
Then Christmas was around the corner; Nina bought a crystal angel figurine for Eileen and a heating pad for Bruce to help with his gout. From the library, she had borrowed books and periodicals to read over the holiday as she only planned to visit Eileen and Bruce as well as Bob in Brunswick for a brief time. The rest of the time she wanted to use for her studies. Bob came to campus to pick her up on Christmas Eve. He insisted that after visiting his parents for dinner, she stay at his place for the rest of the winter break. Unable to resist, Nina agreed with Bob, and with his help, she did laundry and cleaned up her apartment before leaving for the holiday.
By the time they arrived at his parents’ house, Bob’s brother and sister and their spouses had been there waiting in anticipation to meet Nina. Bob’s father hugged his youngest son with a wide smile. “Your girlfriend is lovely,” he said, shaking Nina’s hand warmly.
Bob’s sister hugged Nina. “I hope my kid brother can learn something from you.”
After the joyful evening with Bob’s family, Nina and Bob left the house. He drove past many houses decorated with colourful lights. Shining reindeer and a smiling Santa Claus on the lawn in front of Bob’s apartment building gave Nina a warm feeling of homecoming.
The inside of Bob’s apartment provided Nina with a glimpse of Bob’s bachelor life-style. A heap of clothing lay in the middle of the living room floor, a pile of takeout boxes were stacked on a kitchen chair, and several unwashed plates were on the table. “Since I had to leave at eight in the morning, I didn’t have time to clean up,” explained Bob. “You can take a shower and I’ll tidy up.”
“Let me help you.”
“No,” he said, his hand steering Nina toward the bathroom. “Go.”
The warm water from the showerhead and pleasant scent of Irish Spring soap washed away Nina’s stress and she felt her entire body relax. Quietly the door slid open, and Bob stepped in, his firm arms wrapping her from her back. His warm mouth pressed on her nape and then searched for her lips. She turned around and clung to his muscular body. Passionately, they kissed, and their bodies joined. Her fatigue slipped away.
Bob carried her to the bed, and they sank into each other’s arms. “Aren’t you tired?” Nina asked in a breathless voice. The red-and-green Christmas
lights that blinked through the window’s glass made her feel dreamy.
“Haven’t touched you for more than … hmmm, I should say forty days exactly.” Bob grinned. “You have a gorgeous body that drives me wild.”
“You really surprised me,” said Nina, her hands on his waist.
“Which part?” Bob muttered, his lips moving from breast to breast.
“In the shower,” she whispered, curling herself up.
“Did you enjoy it?” he asked, pulling her closer. He felt himself tighten again.
“Couldn’t you tell?” She laid her head on his chest. “Good night.”
The following day, Nina went to see her host family and visited with them the whole day. As soon as she returned, she helped Bob with chores. He cooked a simple dinner and she cleared the table after eating. “We make a wonderful partnership just like when we worked at the restaurant,” she said, drying the dishes with Bob. When Nina remembered Bob and Kent horsing around in the kitchen, she chuckled. “At that time, I saw you as a funny man.”
“But now you know me as part of you deep inside, don’t you?” he teased back, tilting his head at her with a big smile.
Nina felt guilty about being away from Bob for the most of the day, so she didn’t open any of her books that evening. Instead, she snuggled with Bob on the couch, and they watched TV.
For the rest of the week, Bob had to work at Franklin’s Fish and Chips as usual. Nina busied herself with studies, without knowing what time the sun rose and set. She didn’t even notice when the snow started or when it stopped. Her world was occupied with historical events and political figures from different countries.
One night, after Bob came home from work, Nina walked to him sluggishly and gave him a hug. “We’re like an old couple now.”
“What do you mean?” Bob asked.
“We see each other every day and do the same, everyday things.”
“Look,” he said, taking out a videotape from his jacket pocket. “Let’s try something new.” It was an erotic film that aroused them both. They tumbled into bed giggling and practising making love in different positions.
Nina enjoyed being with Bob; he was a great lover and a caring man. But he was not always patient when she was busy studying.
Sometimes, Bob slouched on the couch, waiting for Nina to finish with her studies. He gazed at her back and wondered how those books could keep her so engrossed for hours, so that she barely noticed him. He got up slowly and approached her, curious about the book she was taking notes from. He stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder. “Hey there, tell me about the book you’re reading.”
Nina patted his hand and turned to look up at him. “It’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.”
“It’s about Hitler, right?” Bob asked with surprise. “Why do you want to know about him? Is he more interesting than me?” he asked in a teasing tone.
“I’m interested in Hitler’s Reich,” said Nina, “because I am wondering how his policies led to the Holocaust.”
“I don’t understand why you’re attracted to politics,” Bob said. Yawning, he added, “Years ago, at college, I switched from a business program to a simple cooking one because I got bored.”
“I think I’ll keep going.” Nina’s mouth twitched into a smile.
His head bent over her face, and he said with a grin, “You are too beautiful and too sexy to have your head inside a book all the time.”
She stood up and kissed him as a response.
He wrapped his arms around her and took her to bed. He could not fathom her passion for politics: today it was about the Nazis and the Holocaust, the next day it was about communists in Cuba. He believed his body language told her that life was not only about books and studies.
The holiday passed. It was soon time for Nina to return to school. At the bus terminal, Nina and Bob embraced for a long time, as if they might never see each other again. Bob would not let her go until she promised him she would visit at least one weekend a month.
9.
BUTTERFLY MYTH
TIME FLEW AND THE spring of 1973 arrived. Saturday morning, Nina did some chores, and then, with a stack of books tucked under her arm, she went to a computer lab. An essay was due on Monday, but she was only about halfway done. She struggled through the whole day. At five-thirty p.m., she hurried away from the lab as Bob was coming to take her out to a meal. She had chosen to see him only once a month since she needed to double her efforts to catch up with other students. English was not her first language, and it always took her longer to read the required course texts.
On the way back to her suite, she passed the security office, and a clerk called out, “Nina! Are you available this evening? I can’t find anybody else to replace Bill. He’s just called in sick.” Before she could decline, the worker said again, “Please help. We need escorts for this evening badly.”
She looked at his anxious face and had to nod, yes. Her steps slowed as she worried about how she would explain this to Bob. It had been a month since she had last seen him. She knew he was counting on going out with her that night. As she approached her dorm room, she heard Bob’s lighthearted laugh from inside. She unlocked the door and saw Bob sitting with his leg crossed over his knee at the table in the living room while Mabel was standing in her doorway, smiling.
“Ah, you’re earlier today.” Nina dropped her books on the table and opened her arms.
“If you’re unhappy, I can leave and come in again,” Bob said, standing to hug her.
“She’s always as busy as a bee,” Mabel said and disappeared into her room.
“Are you hungry?” Nina picked up her books and went into her room. Bob followed.
After he closed the door, he embraced her, and his hand unbuttoned her blouse. “Yes, I’m going to eat you,” he said, his lips brushing her breasts.
“Mabel’s still here,” she said, patting his back.
“If you’re quiet, she won’t hear us.” His hands slid under her clothes and in between her thighs.
She felt tickled at his touch, but she stifled her giggles. “Let’s go to supper.” She raised her head to kiss him back as she stopped his hands.
He drew in a breath. “Then we’ll go to a movie according to your plan.”
Nina dreaded telling him she couldn’t go to the movie. “Would you mind going to the movie with Mabel?”
“Why should I go with her?” He lifted his head from her face and looked at her warily.
“One of the escorts called in sick.” She breathed with a sigh. “They need me to fill the shift. I can’t say no.”
“Why don’t you think about your own needs as well as mine?”
“I do. I decided to be with you,” she said, feeling that she wasn’t being understood. “Even though I need time to finish my essay, I still bought the tickets for us to be together.”
“Okay, my sweetheart.” He smoothed his shirt. “Let’s grab a bite to eat.”
After returning to the apartment, Nina handed him the tickets. “The movie starts at six-thirty. At nine o’clock, I’ll be back. The rest of this evening will be ours.” She needed to spend some time with Bob before starting to work on her essay. She peeped at the door and said, “Mabel’s in her room. I bet she’ll be glad to keep you company.”
At work, Nina felt anxious and regretted leaving Bob with her roommate, a younger, more charming girl. Also, guilt rose in her heart. Am I being selfish?
She arrived home first. Fifteen minutes later, Bob and Mabel walked into the apartment and said goodnight to each other. She opened her door, and he came in, whistling merrily. Nina hugged him. She glanced at his face and noticed a trace of lipstick. “Did you kiss her?”
“She kissed me. Just a friendly kiss, nothing else,” he said. “You chose a nice movie. We both enjoyed it.” He said the word “both” with a special tone.
“Did you…” Nina hesitated for a second. “Did you kiss her?” She quivered.
He shook his head, and his mouth covered hers. They were together again. Into his kiss she melted.
At the end of April, Nina had five exams. Two of them were very difficult. One night, she dragged herself to the suite after her shift and was surprised to see a note from Bob on her door. It read, “I dropped by and waited for you for two hours, but you didn’t show up. I decided to take Mabel for a ride. I left a hamburger for you in the fridge. See you tonight.”
She opened the refrigerator and took the food out. With an appreciative feeling for Bob, she ate her late supper at the table. Before she finished it, the door pushed open, and Mabel came in alone. “Where is Bob?” Nina asked.
“How should I know?” grumbled Mabel, raising her eyebrows. “We went to a bar together. Then he drove me back and left. He didn’t tell me where he was going. I suppose he went to a nightclub.” She entered her room and closed the door.
Nina didn’t know what to say. Too weary to do anything else, she went back to her room and lay down on the bed, despondent and anxious.
Later, after recuperating from a brief nap, she looked over her course notes for her very last exam, which was tomorrow morning. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She strode to the living room and opened the door and there was Bob. Rubbing her eyes with her hand, she drew a deep breath. “You’re back finally,” she said with relief.